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TARDEC’s Ultra Light Vehicle (ULV)

No, it's not a JLTV

The U.S. Army’s Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center’s (TARDEC’s) Ultra Light Vehicle (ULV) is starting final testing at the same time as prototype testing for the JLTV program begins. U.S. Army photo

According to TARDEC representatives, the ULV research prototype effort was funded by the Office of Secretary of Defense to design, develop and build three identical lightweight tactical research prototype vehicles that would emphasize occupant survivability while meeting four research objectives:

The TARDEC announcement notes that that the ULV also utilizes “high-strength steels and advanced composite materials offering lightweight ballistic protection from a number of threats to include a newly developed transparent ceramic armor system to keep the vehicle’s overall weight down.”

The ULV prototype platform features a hybrid powertrain design with two electric motors – front and rear – with either capable of powering the vehicle, providing a level of mobility redundancy. Moreover, by eliminating the need for a driveshaft and other traditional automotive components beneath the vehicle, the platform can be optimized for underbody survivability through the integration of various blast-mitigating kits under the hull for higher threat levels.

The Ultra Light Vehicle (ULV) has the capability to be optimized with an array of blast-mitigating armor kits that can be attached under the hull. U.S. Army photo

Interior technologies include a crushable floating floor system that decouples the crew’s feet and legs from the steel hull and absorbs energy, adjustable stroking seats, five-point restraint systems, and spatial accommodations to mitigate head impacts and flail injuries.

The TARDEC announcement notes that that the ULV also utilizes “high-strength steels and advanced composite materials offering lightweight ballistic protection from a number of threats to include a newly developed transparent ceramic armor system to keep the vehicle’s overall weight down.”

“The cab is designed to have seven egress points facilitated by quick-release and removable components, stowage space for personnel and mission-specific items and 360-degree situational awareness through front- and rear-mounted ultra wide-angle thermal imagers.”

Two of the three ULV prototypes will be used for mobility, mine blast and ballistic survivability testing with the third platform moving into TARDEC’s Ground Systems Power and Energy Laboratory (GSPEL) for mobility and fuel efficiency testing. ULV testing results are expected to be available in early 2014.